Structure: 就是 + Adjective Meaning: 就是 can be used to modify an adjective to mean “really”, or “really that and nothing else”. Examples: 1. 他 就是 聪明，考试 总是 第 一 名。     Tā jiù shì cōnɡ mínɡ ， kǎo shì Continue Reading

Structure: 总 + [ other character ] + Verb Meaning: In this structure, 总, with its companion character (usually a modal/auxiliary verb), means “always will (fill in character/action here)” Once again, it gives the feeling of something very concrete and Continue Reading

Structure: Adjective/Verb + 什么 + (Adjective/Verb) Meaning: Adding 什么(shénme) to the end of an adjective (or less frequently a verb) can be used to form a rhetorical question. In the phrase 你急什么？”what are you worried about?”, the speaker is implying Continue Reading

Structure: Adjective + 得不得了 Meaning: 得不得了 (de bùdéliǎo) can be used as a complement to suggest a situation is serious, or is likely to result in perhaps terrible consequences. It can be used in a positive sense, like in English Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 干脆 + Verb Meaning: 干脆 is an adverb meaning “you might as well” or “just”, and is normally used by the speaker to propose a straightforward course of action within a difficult situation. Examples: 1. 家里什么都没有，干脆出去吃吧。     Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 一向 + Habit / Attitude / etc. Meaning: 一向 (yī xiàng) is generally used to express a habit, attitude, or ‘set way of things’ has continued for a long period of time until the present. Examples: 1. Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 进一步 +Verb Meaning: 进一步, is an adverb meaning ‘further’ or to ‘go a step forward’. Usually it is used in formal written Chinese, though it can be spoken as well. Examples: 1. 这 件 事情 需要 进一步 Continue Reading

Structure: Adjective + 了（一）点儿 Meaning: 了一点儿(le yīdiǎnr), can be added after an adjective to mean “a little bit too”. It is softer in tone than using 太, and so is often used when the speaker doesn’t want to insult the Continue Reading

Structure: Subject + 有的是 + Noun Meaning: In Chinese, there are “a lot” of ways to say “a lot.” “有的是” (yǒudeshì) is one of those ways. However, we need to be very clear: “有的是” is not the same as “有的+是”. Continue Reading

Structure: 原来 + Noun/Adjective/[verb phrase] Meaning: 原来 (yuánlái) means “originally” (similar to 本来) or “former”. It can also mean “all along”, and can be used to indicate a sudden realization of something previously unknown, a bit like “so it’s been Continue Reading